Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2)

Virologic and Serologic Investigations of West Nile Virus Circulation in Belarus

Samoilova T.I., Votiakov V.I., Titov L.P.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):55-62  

In 1985-1994 virologic and serologic investigations were performed for the purposes of West Nile (WN) virus circulation establishment on the territory of Belarus. Blood-sucking mosquitoes, midges, wild small mammals, birds as well as blood and cerebrospinal samples from patients with nondifferentiated fevers and from healthy individuals were under studies. Four virus strains were isolated in Belarus for the first time, namely: 1 - from birds (48-WN Tremlya); 2 - from Aedes mosquitoes (319 and 2438); 1 - from a febrile patient (Win). Their antigenic and biological properties were examined in cell cultures and laboratory animals. The isolates turned...

Ascorbic Acid and Infertility Treatment

Crha I., Hrubá D., Ventruba P., Fiala J., Totušek J., Višňová H.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):63-67  

Aim of the study: To assess the ascorbic acid (AA) in the follicular fluid in women treated by in vitro fertilization and embryonic transfer levels (IVF/ET) and to analyse the influence of vitamin C supplementation on the results of infertility treatment.Type of the study: prospective study in women treated by IVF/ET.Methods: The influence of vitamin C supplementation on the outcome of infertility treatment in the assisted reproduction programme in 76 women (38 of them smokers, 38 non-smokers) was studied. Half the women (19 smokers and 19 non-smokers) were administered vitamin C in daily doses of 500 mg in so-called pellets allowing for gradual...

Effectiveness of Chlorine, Organic Acids and UV Treatments in Reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Yersinia enterocolitica on Apples

Escudero M.E., Velázquez L., Favier G., de Guzmán A.M.S.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):68-72  

This study assessed the effectiveness of 200 and 500 ppm of chlorine and organic acids (0.5 % lactic acid and 0.5% citric acid) in wash solutions, and UV radiation for reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Yersinia enterocolitica on apples contaminated by two different methods. Residual levels of these pathogens after different treatments were compared. On dip inoculated apples, Y. enterocolitica reductions of 2.66 and 2.77 logs were obtained with 200 and 500 ppm chlorine combined with 0.5% lactic acid, respectively. The E. coli O157:H7 population decreased 3.35 log with 0.5% lactic acid wash solution, and 2.72 and 2.62 logs after 500 ppm chlorine...

Lifestyle and Socio-economic Status - Verification of Data Reliability from Questionnaire Surveys

Tomášková H.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):73-78  

The study of reliability was part of a project funded by the Grant Agency of the Czech Ministry of Health. The repeatability of answers, 180 questionnaires being sent again after a six week interval, was assessed by two methods: by the percentages of agreement and using the Kappa index. We evaluated 61 questions, which were divided into five sections (general questions, questions on employment, lifestyle, health, and personality). The agreement rate varied from 46 % to 100 % and the value of the Kappa index from -0.01 to 1. The agreement performed by the Kappa index was divided into 4 groups (0.4 - poor; 0.41-0.6 average; 0.61-0.80- good; 0.81-1 almost...

Evaluation of the Response Rate of a Questionnaire Study by Using the GIS and Standard Statistical Methods

Šlachtová H., Machová T., Tomášková H., Michalík J.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):79-86  

This study is a part of a larger project Nr. NJ 6139-3 funded by the Grant Agency of the Czech Ministry of Health. The aim of the paper was to analyse the response rate using standard statistical methods and the Geographical Information System (GIS); to indicate differences in the response by sex, age, education, and employment; to determine the breakpoint for the collection of questionnaires according to which we can estimate the total response rate; to indicate whether the study sample was representative enough to generalize the project results. The additional aim of the paper was to collect those background literary sources dealing with the response...

Dynamics of Transitory Morbidity in Children Aged 0 to 6 Years from the Town of Varna

Yustinianova B., Geneva E., Arabadzhieva D.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):87-90  

Transitory chronic morbidity of children aged 0-6 years from the town of Varna was retrospectively studied for a five-year period (1997-2001) based on the results obtained during the annual prophylactic examinations. A total of 54 068 children (24 204 being 0-3 year-old and the rest of 29 864 aged between 4-6 years) is involved in the study. Based on data from the documentation records the frequency of cases per 1000 examined is given. The structure and the dynamics of transitory morbidity is determined. The total chronic transitory morbidity for the whole period is 36 per 1000 examined children. The prevalence of chronic diseases in children aged...

Cancer Occurrence among Radiation Workers at Jaslovské Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant

Gulis G.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):91-97  

The Public Health Institute in Trnava, Slovak Republic under coordination of the International Agency of Cancer Research (IARC) at Lyon, France, had completed a retrospective cohort study of cancer occurrence among nuclear workers at Jaslovské Bohunice, Slovak Republic, as part of a multicentric cohort study of 14 countries.The objective of the study was to assess an impact of a long-term low level ionising radiation on cancer occurrence. In summary, 2776 employees had been selected for the follow-up period, which lasted since January 1, 1973 till December 31, 1993, it means for 21 years. Mean age at beginning of follow-up was 28.9 years and at...

Thyroid Cancer Morbidity in Opole Province, Poland, after Czernobyl Disaster

Tukiendorf A., Krasowski G., Rybak Z.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):98-101  

The Czernobyl disaster caused an extensive pollution in Europe due to the release into the environment thousands of tons of radioactive isotopes affecting the elevated cancer morbidity in the continent. The authors used the data set on radiation in Opole province, Poland, to model thyroid cancer incidence in the 1994-1998 quinquennium. An increase in thyroid cancer morbidity in females was observed within the 137+134Cs elevated concentration areas. The changes of the cancer incidence in males were found not significant for the distinguished radiation levels in the region. The statistical modeling was performed via the BUGS software.

Serological Markers of Chlamydia pneumoniae, Cytomegalovirus and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients with Unstable Angina Pectoris

Altannavch T., Roubalová K., Brož J., Hrubá D., Anděl M.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):102-106  

The possible role of inflammation in coronary artery disease (CAD) is being recognised, while markers of inflammation (e.g., CRP) and infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) have been proposed as risk factors for CAD. However, these associations require further evaluation. It is a known fact that diabetic patients suffer from impaired immune response to some pathogens and a high incidence of atherosclerosis.In this case-control study we investigated serological markers of infection with C. pneumoniae, CMV, and H. pylori in a group of 140 patients with unstable angina pectoris...

Effect of Iodine and Selenium upon Thyroid Function

Kvíčala J., Zamrazil V.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):107-113  

Iodine is an essential element with unique role in organism: it is indispensable component of thyroid hormones. After binding with specific nuclear receptor, T3/T4 induce transcription of genetic code via mRNA and regulate proteosynthesis in most tissues. Thyroid hormones regulate rate of metabolic processes and consequently development of organism.Czech Republic was in past typical region with moderate to severe iodine deficiency. Therefore epidemiological survey was started in randomly selected samples of peoples. Thereafter a complex program of improving iodine supply was realized. Prompt effects of this changes were recorded, namely increase...

WHO publishes guidance to minimize terrorist threats to food.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):62

WHO calls for strong focus on health promotion for women.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):67

WHO health briefing for Iraq.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):72

World Health Organization inspects Russian smallpox laboratory.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):86

10 million Euros needed now to prepare for deadly new strain of meningitis in Africa. IFRC, MSF, UNICEF and WHO launch emergency appeal.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):90

WHO releases first global reference guide on safe and effective use of essential medicines. Guide promotes consumer rights and patient safety.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):101

WHO Atlas maps global tobacco epidemic.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):106

International Conference on Indoor Environment Quality in Hospitals. Prague 10-11 October 2002.

Vilma Benesová, Vladimír Bencko, John Hoskins

Cent Eur J Public Health 2003, 11(2):115-116